Someone's Son Balance of Chapter 4

"Hey, what's the matter?" Troy asked.

          "Nothing."

          "Come on Sheldon, spill it out. Are you afraid? Do you think I'd hurt you if you won?" Troy looked upset.

          "Yes."

          "I can't believe this. Why?"

          "What if I did hurt you? What would you do to me?" Sheldon challenged.

          "You...hurt me?" An incredulous look came over Troy’s face. "See this?" and he flexed his biceps. "If you or anyone ever hurt me, I'd smash them one. But it wouldn't happen to you..." he hastily added.

          "See what I mean," stammered Sheldon. Now he knew why he didn't try to win physical games with his pal. "I never want us to fight. You're my best friend. I don't know what I’d do. I mean -- well I just won't let it happen."

          "Don't worry. You couldn't bruise me anyway. Come on I'll treat you to a Coke. Race ya to the house."

          Two friends raced for the veranda.

          This was the first time Sheldon won.

Mom didn't mind when Sheldon mentioned he wanted to go to Melanie's birthday party. Sometimes she threw a fit if he wanted to go out on a school night. But then tomorrow was the last day before summer holidays.

          "Thanks mom," he said.

          Melanie was having a few of her school chums over for pizza and he was invited. He liked her and maybe he could ask her out to the next school dance. His new pants crinkled and his sneakers were like white teeth in the darkening night.

          A new jacket covered his "SAVE THE WORLD" shirt. Sheldon also had a neat gift cradled in his hand. It was a sketch of a deer feeding at the back of their house. He knew how much Melanie enjoyed the outdoors. It was a bit of a puzzle why his mom gave him an extra size hug tonight.

          "I wonder what Melanie really thinks about me?" Sheldon asked aloud, before climbing her front steps.